A few weeks ago, it seemed very likely that the Kansas City Current could end 2024 with four trophies: Women’s Cup, Summer Cup, NWSL Championship and NWSL Shield. The first of those is already in the cabinet, but the rest? The odds of winning them have diminished. To be clear, the Current are one win away from claiming the Summer Cup – an October game against NJ/NY Gotham (in Texas for some reason).

The NWSL championship is also still up for grabs, especially if the team can figure out how to score points on the road and avoid short lapses on defense. The Shield, however, may already be out of the running. In just three games, Orlando has opened up a nine-point lead over KC and shows no signs of giving up many points.

This Saturday, the Currents return from a two-game trip to the East Coast in which Chawinga set the NWSL record for most consecutive games with a goal (7!), but the team picked up zero points, scoring only the two goals for Chawinga and conceding six against Washington and North Carolina.

Temwa is in a class of its own 🤯

7 games. 8 goals. 1 new NWSL record.

Moment of the game | @Palmer_Square pic.twitter.com/hSYmQoF2y0

— KC Current (@thekccurrent) 2 September 2024

The game against the Courage on Sunday was particularly frustrating as Temwa put KC ahead in the second half, but twice an NC player got too much space (the first line of defense was shaken too easily and the second line of defense was nonexistent) inside the 18-yard box and shot inside the far post. After the long rain stoppage and into stoppage time, it seemed the Current would leave Cary with at least a point, if not three, as they had the better chances, but a 93rd minute winner for the Courage cancelled out any positives.

There’s no question that the Current are capable of scoring goals, but there are growing signs that teams are figuring out how to frustrate KC and force them to take lots of shots that aren’t accurate. For example, in last weekend’s game, KC had more shots on goal than NC, 16 to 11, but NC had six of its shots on goal while the Current only had four. If 75% of a team’s shots don’t even test the opposing goalie, then they’re basically a turnover.

When the Currents score, it’s often simply an individual effort (see Temwa taking the ball from a defender and beating the goalkeeper) or a long ball over the top that allows the speedy striker to outrun everyone else. It seems like this team needs more quality build-up play that actually leads to a clear goal-scoring opportunity. The goal against Atletico Madrid a few weeks ago was exciting because that’s exactly what it was. Watch this video at 12:20:

That kind of goal has been the exception rather than the rule for the team this season. Yes, it’s great to have a striker with supernatural speed and a prolific goal scorer who can help you secure some wins, but perhaps it’s even better to have a complete team that can break through the opposition defense time and time again with quick, accurate passes and deadly shots.

Speaking of a full team, the recent starting lineup featured about four players who were on the roster last summer. It’s no secret that the front office made a number of player transactions during the offseason, but that continued into the August transfer window. As a fan, it can be hard to watch a player like Lavogez or Spaanstra get traded away (not to mention Del Fava, who returns to KC as part of the Royals this weekend), but with all the recent roster moves, you have to wonder if team chemistry has suffered.

Of course, it will take time for players like Sharples, Jereko, Magaia, etc. to gel with the others. There have been many comments like, “Once Chawinga and Debinha are on the same wavelength, watch out!” But if the team keeps bringing in new players, how will anyone ever really be on the same wavelength?

All of this brings us to Saturday’s game, a necessary homecoming and a match against one of the league’s bottom teams. In May, the Current traveled to Utah and managed a 1-0 win in a game in which they outscored their hosts 24-4 in shots on goal. Despite the statistical dominance, it wasn’t until a goal by Elizabeth Ball in the 58th minute that they got comfortable in the game. Can KC make it easier this time?

Although a match between the 3rd and 13th place teams seems to be a one-sided affair, it is true that one of these teams has lost three games in a row (KC) and the other is unbeaten on a four-game winning streak, winning the last two games (Utah). Not only have the Royals beaten Dash and Bay FC in two consecutive weeks, but they even finished first in their Summer Cup group, including a win over the Thorns. Over half of their 15 points have come in their last four league games, so they are definitely a team trending in the right direction.

So, unless Kansas City is able to pull off the win in front of CPKC fans in a fairly convincing fashion, maybe it really is time to reevaluate expectations for this team. The road doesn’t get any easier from here, as the next three games for KC are against Orlando (1st), Washington (2nd), and Gotham (4th). With any misstep at home against the expansion Royals, it’s easy to imagine this team taking a major fall and perhaps just barely clawing its way into the playoffs. The chance at four trophies may be out of reach, but the goal of playing for the NWSL championship in front of the home crowd pretty much requires a win this weekend.

WHEN: Saturday, September 7, 6:30 p.m. (Central Time)

WHERE: CPKC Stadium, Kansas City, MO

How to watch: ion/38 the Spot

Record:

KC currently: 10-5-3 (35 points, 3rd place in the NWSL league table)

Utah Royals: 4-3-11 (15 points, 13th place in the NWSL league table)

Last game:

KC News: 1:2 away defeat against North Carolina Courage

Utah Royals: 3-1 away win at Houston Dash